http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu Fri, 24 May 2013 19:28:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2012/03/22/making-connections-and-celebrating-literacy-millennium-city-and-american-students-honor-world-read-aloud-day/ http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2012/03/22/making-connections-and-celebrating-literacy-millennium-city-and-american-students-honor-world-read-aloud-day/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:59:04 +0000 Susan Blaustein http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/?p=24491 Across sub-Saharan Africa, where MCI is working to help selected secondary cities attain the Millennium Development Goals, more than 150 million adults, or 38% of the adult population, lack basic literacy skills. Fortunately, a number of organizations are working hard to change this. LitWorld, a NY-based NGO dedicated to improving global literacy and a long-time MCI partner, held its third annual World Read Aloud Day on March 7, which presented an opportunity to engage in literacy-building exercises and advocate for global learning opportunities. Students from several Millennium Cities participated, joining others around the world to honor learning and literacy.]]> http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2012/03/22/making-connections-and-celebrating-literacy-millennium-city-and-american-students-honor-world-read-aloud-day/feed/ 0 http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/09/30/standing-up-for-girls-and-their-right-to-the-education-they-deserve/ http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/09/30/standing-up-for-girls-and-their-right-to-the-education-they-deserve/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:53:54 +0000 Susan Blaustein http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/?p=18426 For many in the developing world, education isn't taken for granted. Around 35 million girls are out of school, the World Bank says, almost half of them in sub-Saharan Africa. In support of girls’ education, MCI joined the literacy organization LitWorld and other partners, including Connect To Learn, Asia Initiatives and the Children of Kibera Foundation, for a “Stand Up for Girls” rally to celebrate the International Day of the Girl on September 22. ]]> http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/09/30/standing-up-for-girls-and-their-right-to-the-education-they-deserve/feed/ 1 http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/07/19/where-poverty-is-extreme-but-where-girls-clubs-have-taught-participants-the-world-has-possibility/ http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/07/19/where-poverty-is-extreme-but-where-girls-clubs-have-taught-participants-the-world-has-possibility/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:54:18 +0000 Susan Blaustein http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/?p=16358 The following is a guest blog, authored by Pam Allyn, Executive Director and Founder of LitWorld, a global organization advocating for children's rights as readers, writers and learners, and an MCI partner. This account is based on Pam’s travels to the Millennium City of Kisumu, Kenya, to spend time with four Girls’ Clubs, which foster literacy while building self-esteem. ]]> http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/07/19/where-poverty-is-extreme-but-where-girls-clubs-have-taught-participants-the-world-has-possibility/feed/ 0 http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/05/24/empowering-girls-through-literacy-kisumu-girls-club-leader-honored-at-litworld-gala/ http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/05/24/empowering-girls-through-literacy-kisumu-girls-club-leader-honored-at-litworld-gala/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 16:25:24 +0000 Susan Blaustein http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/?p=15000 In Kenya, as in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, girls have lower primary and secondary school completion rates than boys. Yet learning can empower girls, providing them with critical skills that enable them to become higher wage earners and community leaders. Ms. Lois Owiti, a teacher at Kisumu Day Senior High School in Kisumu, Kenya, [...]]]> http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/05/24/empowering-girls-through-literacy-kisumu-girls-club-leader-honored-at-litworld-gala/feed/ 0 http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/03/10/millennium-city-and-u-s-students-chat-and-read-aloud-online-celebrating-world-read-aloud-day/ http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/03/10/millennium-city-and-u-s-students-chat-and-read-aloud-online-celebrating-world-read-aloud-day/#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:30:27 +0000 Susan Blaustein http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/?p=12719 Words – and worlds – were shared in celebration of the second annual World Read Aloud Day, organized by LitWorld, on March 9, 2011. As part of LitWorld’s much larger celebration of reading, literacy and learning, students from across the Millennium Cities connected with students in the United States via Skype, to share stories and talk about the importance of reading. ]]> http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/03/10/millennium-city-and-u-s-students-chat-and-read-aloud-online-celebrating-world-read-aloud-day/feed/ 0